I realize that I’m posting in the Portugal forum but I’m assuming people here are probably familiar with both. I am planning a week-long trip the first week of April. I am looking at the Sevilla areas or Portugal/Lisbon areas, but not both. I don’t know much about Portugal so naturally south of Spain sounds more interesting. Should I be convinced otherwise? My husband wants to go to Portugal while I’m more interested in south of Spain.
Posted by
11218 posts
With only one week, stay in one or the other, not both. There is always some adjustment needed when changing countries and with such a brief trip, pick Spain or Portugal.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
@Suki I am only picking one
Posted by
Washington DC
27217 posts
Depending on how you define "week-long", either of those areas could work, they're both totally worth visiting, and April is likely to produce decent weather. You could travel later in the year and probably be OK in Portugal, but southern Spain really begins to warm up as you get into May and pretty quickly you risk unbearable (to some) heat.
Honestly, I'd make the decision based on cost and convenience of flights or future travel plans that make one of these areas easier than the other to visit in the future.
What date would you land in Europe? April 1 is Easter Monday.
Posted by
Austin, TX
1945 posts
I can offer that I stayed in Lisbon four days last October and it was not enough. I loved Lisbon and wish that I could have stayed a week.
If you go to Lisbon, you will want to spend a day at Sintra and another one at Belem.
If you choose Lisbon, I can recommend a very nice 3 star hotel in the Baixa neighborhood. I only saw this neighborhood but there are a few more each with their own personality and character,
Lisbon has great public transportation. There are four hop on hop buses, each costing 22 euros. I did not do any of them.
And I never got to any of the great museums. But Lisbon has several including a Cod Museum.
Four days was not enough in Lisbon.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6615 posts
Compromise and head to Extremadura. I’m joking, but there’s plenty to see there. It would require more than a week.
I don’t think there is a bad choice, so go to whichever is cheaper and easier to reach.
Posted by
San Franciso Bay Area, USA
961 posts
I have been to both Seville/Granada and Lisbon. Both of them have their charms and where you decide to go depends upon your interests. You will be traveling right after Easter, so you will be missing Seville's lovely Easter festival and are leaving just before their April faire, but because you are between two celebrations, there may be some special activities for you to Enjoy. if you do decide on Spain, the one thing to consider is splitting time between Seville and Granada. We did that in 2017 and felt that we didn't spend adequate time in either area. The good thing about Lisbon is a week allows you to take a few day trips, but still feel like you have spent adequate time in the city.
We were in Lisbon just this past October, so if you decide to go to Lisbon and have additional questions, happy to help.